CHELSEA, MI–United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC) and Porter Hills honored John Thorhauer’s tenure as President and CEO of the organization at retirement festivities recently. These included a party for staff and residents, a VIP event, and the unveiling of the UMRC Heritage Hall Historic Timeline installation at Chelsea Retirement Community.

“John has three decades of experience in the senior housing and healthcare field, including thirteen years as UMRC’s President and CEO,” said Steve Fetyko who was named as Thorhauer’s successor in April 2019. “John’s visionary leadership, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his commitment to serving older adults have led to a period of unprecedented growth at UMRC. These have included groundbreaking models such as Thome Rivertown Neighborhood in Detroit, a benchmark for affordable senior living care nationwide; and partnering to launch three PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) centers across the state.”

The UMRC Foundation is also honoring Thorhauer’s achievements through the creation of the John Thorhauer Legacy Fund.

“John’s vision for serving the growing senior population, particularly those who are vulnerable in terms of health and income, is unmatched,” said Wendy Brightman, President of the UMRC Foundation and Porter Hills Foundation. “With generous donations from friends and colleagues, the UMRC Foundation has launched the John Thorhauer Legacy Fund to recognize John’s compassion and dedication to older adults.”

The intent of the John Thorhauer Legacy Fund is to support projects that serve vulnerable older adults, whether at one of UMRC’s locations or in the communities UMRC serves, according to Brightman. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to reflect John’s caring example to improve the lives of older adults for years to come through this fund. What better way to honor John’s legacy.”

Building on a foundation of 113 years of service, UMRC is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that promotes the wellness, dignity and independence of older adults, by providing high quality, innovative and compassionate senior residential and supportive services. UMRC recently affiliated, under shared governance and leadership, with Porter Hills, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Together, these organizations represent the second largest nonprofit senior living organization in Michigan. With a tradition of exceptional quality and a commitment to cutting-edge care, these faith-based organizations and their affiliates combine to serve more than 6,700 older adults each year, from 24 locations and service lines, across 22 counties in Michigan’s lower peninsula. umrc.com|734.433.1000

The UMRC Foundation is the charitable arm for United Methodist Retirement Communities, with headquarters in Chelsea, Michigan. Since its inception in 1998, the UMRC Foundation has provided over $16,000,000 through its Benevolent Care Fund to help UMRC residents remain in their homes when they outlive their resources. The mission of the UMRC Foundation is to promote the wellness, dignity, and independence of seniors by supporting UMRC residents, staff, and the communities UMRC serves.